Improvement in water-wheels



V. M.,BAKER. WateU heels.

N0. 124,471, c' Patented March12,'1872.A

ATENT FFICE.

VINCENT M. BAKER, OF PRESTON, MINNESOTA.

IMPROVEMENT IN WATER-WHEELS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 124,471, dated March19, 1872.

Specification describing a new and Improved Vater-/Vheel inventedbyVINCENT M. BAKER, of Preston, in the county of Fillmore and State ofMinnesota.

Figure l represents a vertical central section of my improvedwater-wheel, the line c c, Fig. 2, indicating the plane of section. Fig.2 is a top view, partly in section, of the same, taken on the plane ofthe line K K, Fig. l.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to an improvement in gates and gate mechanism forwater-wheels; and has for its object, by the improved arrangement, togainlarger spaces for water-entrance and avoid unnecessary friction. Theinvention consists in sinking the gate-rings, in a new form of iiangedgates, and mode of connectin g them, all as hereinafter more fullydescribed.

A is the stationary cylinder to the wheelcase, having a horizontal ange,a, in which there is a groove or recess to receive the lower gate-ringB. C is a crown-plate of the wheelcase, provided in the under side ofits ange b with a recess to receive the upper gate-ring D. The flange bof the crown-plate C is curved or beveled to form a flaringwater-entrance. E E are bolts, that connect the flanges a b of thecylinder A and crown-plate C. F F are bolts, that connect the upper andlower gate-rings. Nuts d d are applied above the flange b to the boltsE. c e are nuts applied above the ring D to the bolt F. J is the pinion,and f the segment, that move the gate-rings, the segment being attachedto the upper gate-ring D. gis a box, made in the crown-plate C toreceive the pinion J. his a cap to the box, fastened by bolts orotherwise. L is the waterwheel shaft, its upper part turning in a box,t, that is secured in the center of the crownplate, while its lower endrests in a step, j, which is held on a cross-bar, Z, of the cylinder A.G G are the gates, made with straight inner faces, beveled inner ends,and curved outer ends, as is clearly shown in Fig. 2, and with ianges mm at top and bottom. To an ear, n, 0r to the lower flange m of eachgate, is pivoted the inner end of a lever, H, whose outer end is pivotedto the ange a of the wheelcase. The gates G are placed between the ringsD D, and the bolts F F pass through them at a point where the pressurewill be the greatest on the inner end when closed. By having the iiangesa b grooved for the reception of the gate-rings, these latter arecarried out of the way of the entering water. By providin g thecrown-plate C with the flarin g harige b, the water-entrance is stillmore enlarged and friction reduced. The gates G G, being made with upperand lower iianges, will, by means of said flanges, cover the jointsbetween the case and ring. The levers H attached to the heels of thegate serve as guides for said gates, While the bolts F are pivots forthe same in such manner that th e greatest pressure of water shall be onthe inner end of the gate. This causes it to open and close more easilythan it would if the pivots were placed in the center. The greatestpressure of water being on the inner ends of the gates when closed,helps to open them, and the draught of water around the wheel when theyare open helps to close them.

Balls o o may be placed in the recess of a for the lower gate-ring torest on, by which the gates move more easily. Two balls, p, may beplaced back of the segment f to remove the friction by hoisting.

The gate G, when made with stra-ight inner face, beveled inner end,curved outer end, and with a ange at top and bottom, is superior toother gates. On the straight inner face the water is conducted to thewheel in a straight line; hence less friction than there would be ifsaid face was curved. Leakage is prevented by the flanges covering thejoints between the rings and case when the gates are closed.

' Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patentl. The gates G, provided with the upper andlower horizontal 'lianges m m, as shown and described, for the purposespecified.

2. The rings B D, gates G, pivot-bolts F, and levers H, pivoted to thebase-Bange a and the gates, as shown and described.

Witnesses: VINCENT M. BAKER.

H. E. WELLS, WM. W. Finn.

